Ronnie Roy Bragg
BRAGG, Ronnie Roy, 60, LEVANT, ME, January 14, 2011. Memorial Service will be held at Brookings-Smith Funeral Home, at 1 p.m., January 29, 2011, followed by calling hours and reception. Arrangements are in the care of Brookings-Smith Funeral Home, Bangor.
LEVANT, ME – Ronnie Roy Bragg, 60, passed away most unexpectedly on January 14, 2011, while vacationing with his wife in Ormond Beach, FL. Ronnie was born January 8, 1951, in Perham, the third of nine children born to Warren and Thelma Bragg. He was a long-time resident of Washburn.
He leaves behind, to cherish his memory, his wife, Anna (Thompson) Bragg; and his two children: Ronnie and his wife, Cassidy of Nampa, Idaho, and Ronette and her fiancé, Brent Chamberlain of Deltona, FL. He is also survived by four stepchildren: James Canders and his wife, Lauren of Battle Creek, Mich., John Canders and his wife, Kristin of Brewer, ME, Sarah Thrall and her husband, Spencer of Granby, Conn., and Sam Canders of Bangor, ME. He also leaves behind his first wife, Sheryl (Conroy) LaBarre of DeBary, FL.
Ronnie’s life was made richer by his many grandchildren: Brittney and Dustin Bragg, Cole and Evan Chamberlain, Brenden Cox, Lily and Caleb Canders, and Abigail, Jillian, Margaret, Lucy and Oliver Thrall. He delighted in each and every child’s accomplishment and never hesitated to tease just enough to bring a big grin followed by raucous giggles. He was able to stir a room of relatively calm children to utter chaos in seconds. The children loved every minute of it! Ronnie will also be missed by his many brothers and their wives: Larry and Linda, Winston and Barbara, Sterling and Tammie, Lucky and Tammy, Thomas and Tracy, Bruce and Mary; and his two sisters: Warrena and her husband, Carroll Bragg, and Joanne Bragg; numerous nieces and nephews; and four special people, Thomas and Victory Todd, and Tim and Carolyn O’Donnell, held a large spot in Ronnie’s heart.
Ronnie graduated from Washburn High School in 1969, then began his work career by painting for Spinney’s Paint Contractors of Caribou. In 1974, he was hired to work as a Civil Service employee at Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, where he remained for 20 years. After the base closure, he continued his career in Civil Service by working for the U.S. Postal Service then, in 1996, was transferred to the Hampden Postal Facility in Hampden, ME. He retired in 1998. In later years, Ronnie was content to take on carpentry and repair jobs for friends and family. It seemed each task required at least one new tool that soon found its special place in his spotless workshop.
The essence of Ronnie cannot be expressed in words but is shown in his loves. He loved his wife and family to the depth of his being. He loved the feeling of completing a job or project and viewing it as a job well done. He loved taking on a challenge. He loved being in the woods or on the lakes of Maine at any time of the year. He loved the long summer days because it gave him more time to work around his house and yard. For Ronnie, work was not a bad word; it was his passion. He loved traveling as long as he didn’t have to do the planning. He loved returning home after a vacation. He loved buying a new truck especially when it was the result of a good haggle. He loved making people happy.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at Brookings-Smith Funeral Home, 133 Center Street, Bangor, ME, at 1 p.m., on January 29, 2011. Rev. Clayton Blackstone will officiate the memorial service that will be followed by calling hours and reception to celebrate Ronnie’s memory. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
